We often need to read research articles to gather knowledge and strengthen our arguments. However, you don’t always have to read the entire article from start to finish. You can “skim” to see its main message. Here are some steps to do this:
1. Read the Abstract
Start with the abstract. This is where you’ll find the main idea of the article. Check if the article is relevant to your research.
2. Read the Conclusion
Next, go to the article’s conclusion. It contains the most important results and the purpose of the research. This way, you’ll quickly understand how the article can help your analysis.
3. Read the Results
Read the results section. Try looking at the graphs and tables before reading the entire text. This provides a faster understanding of the findings.
4. Read from the Beginning (If Needed)
If the article will be your main reference, you can read it from the beginning. Try this if you need to thoroughly understand all the details.
REMEMBER:
Read the abstract first to determine if the article is related to your research.
Go straight to the conclusion to understand the article’s main results.
In the results, look at the figures and tables before the text for a quicker comprehension.
Read the entire article if it’s your primary source.
Tanim Talino 